Mounting template and installation shield

ABSTRACT

A fixture mounting template formed of a flat sheet comprising integrally formed central and peripheral elements. The central element which contains instructions of permanent usefulness to the operation of the fixture is adhesive-backed for permanent attachment to a wall. The peripheral element which contains installation instructions of only temporary utility is removable from the central element and the wall once installation is accomplished. In addition, the peripheral element provides protection to the wall surface during installation procedures.

States Patent Gallagher et a1.

[ MOUNTING TEMPLATE AND INSTALLATION SHIELD [75] Inventors: Edward L. Gallagher, Capistrano Beach; Robert W. Limacher, Corona Del Mar, both of Calif.

[73] Assignee: A-T-O fine, Willoughby, Ohio [22] Filed: Sept. 7, 1971 [21] App]. No.: 178,110

[52] US. Cl 33/189, 33/174 G, 40/125 A [51] Int. Cl. G0lb 3/00 [58] Field of Search 33/189, 1 R, 197, 174 B, 33/174 G;40/310, 125 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,764,817 l0/l956 Schwartz 33/189 Mar. 12, 1974 Wright 40/310 X Lucia 33/197 Primary ExaminerWilliam D. Martin, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or FirmFowler, Knobbe & Martens [57] ABSTRACT A fixture mounting template formed of a flat sheet comprising integrally formed central and peripheral elements. The central element which contains instructions of permanent usefulness to the operation of the fixture is adhesive-backed for permanent attachment to a wall. The peripheral element which contains installation instructions of only temporary utility is removable from the central element and the wall once installation is accomplished. In addition, the peripheral element provides protection to the wall surface during installation procedures.

8 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures chum: mm. (USE sum nr m: Mmmtma scams runmsnw m scnrw annex" to sun: on I015!)- 1! un mm on mm 15 i -WND. us: A most: aau mm Ann us: 2 YUEELE A! row warn mu Muu nous was mime Mon MOUNTING INSTRUCTIONS PLUS OR MINUS 2" T0 CEILING it yum Pnwintn l/mullll nun IuSlm mu mu Huimuu w. IHI MAI/M mm 1 in mm mum: Pasmrm w. HALKHA m: in wt PIIIEIIIEIIIIIIIIz IIIII 3795983 USE 3/31 DRILL FOR 2 HOLES INTO WALL STUD OR CEILING JOIST. (USE BOTH OF THE MOUNTING SCREWS FURNISHED TO SCREW BRACKET TO STUD OR INST).- IF NO STUD OR JOIST IS FOUND USE A TOGGLE BOLT AT TOP WHEN WALL MOUNTED AND USE 2 TOGGLE 9, OLTS WHEN CEILING MOU 120 PLUS OR MINUS 2" I L5)? PLUS OR MINUS 2" [6 TO CEILING TO CEILING IF wALL MUU TiD IF wALL MOUNTED I) MAKE SURE THE ALARM IS FULLY POWERED (WOUND AND FUSED) AND THAT NOTHING MOUNTING INSTRUCTIONS IS INSERTED IN THE SLOT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BACK (NOTE: NEVER FORCE FUSE ON IF PIN WON'T EASILY DEPRESS FULLY. THIS IS AN INDICATION THAT THE ALARM IS NOT FULLY POWERED.

IL) STORE THE POWER KEY IN THE MOUNTED BRACKET AS SHOWN IN FIGURE o (D O I] MOUNT THE POWERED ALARM ON THE BRACKET AS SHOWN IN FIGURES "B" O FIG 8: INSERT THE RIB OF THE ALARM IN THE VERY TOP OF THE SPRING SLOTI FIGv C: PUSH THE ALARM FIRMLY AGAINST THE BRACKET (WHILE ALIGNING Q) THE ALARM WITH THE BRACKET AND KEEPING THE RIB AT THE TOP or THE SPRING SLOT). F u no. 0; SLIDE ALARM DOWN ON THE BRACKET (WHILE PRESS [0 lg re ING THE ALARM FIRMLV AGAINST THE BRACKET] UNTIL vou REACH A STOP AND HEAR THE spams SNAP mm LOCKING POSITION.

WIGGLE ALARM TO MAKE sum: IT Is LOCKED SECURELY A ONTO THE BRACKET. m

Figure "D" Figure B Figure "C" MOUNTING TEMPLATE AND INSTALLATION SHIELD The present invention relates to templates for mounting fixtures on walls or ceilings, and more particularly to instruction-bearing templates which serve the additional purpose of shielding the wall or ceiling surface adjacent the fixture which is to be installed.

It is known in the art to use a template including drill hole guide marks to facilitate proper placement of screw or nail holes on a surface. Such templates, while being helpful for this purpose, do not bear installation and use instructions, and do not protect surrounding surfaces from marring, dirtying or damage resulting from installation procedures. Installation instructions are usually provided by the fixture manufacturer in the form of accompanying drawings and loose, printed sheets. Many times, the installation instructions are inclined on the same sheet as the permanent operating instruction for the fixture, thereby possibly leading to confusion or the discarding of permanent instructions. In addition, since such instruction sheets are loose, it is difficult for a workman to continually refer to them during the installation.

The present invention provides a simple and effective template which alleviates these shortcomings of the prior art. The template of the present invention is in the form of a thin sheet, the surface of which is divided into two distinct areas. A center area of the device, typically slightly smaller in size than the fixture to be mounted, is backed with adhesive. Around the periphery of the center area is a protective outside area, typically somewhat larger in size than the fixture to be mounted, which is free of adhesive. The outside area is removable from the center area, and is designed to function as a wall shield during the installation of the fixture. After the installation is complete, this outside portion is removed and discarded.

In addition, the present invention provides all necessary instructions on the central and peripheral portions of the template. Permanent fixture operating instructions are printed on the permanently affixed center portion, while installation instructions which have only temporary utility are printed on the removable peripheral portion. Thus, the workmans hands are freed to manipulate tools, while the instructions remain directly before him at all times.

The present invention includes an additional feature when the fixture installation procedures require the installation of a mounting bracket directly on a surface, and then the installation, either permanently or semipermanently, of the fixture itself on the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket is often much smaller in size than the fixture so that proper location of the mounting bracket to place the fixture in the right position becomes difficult. Since improper location of the bracket may result in inoperability or failure of a wallhanging fixture, such as an automatic fire-alarm, this placement accuracy may be extremely important. The present invention alleviates the problem of bracket location by providing a mounting template having a central portion of nearly the same silhouette size as the fixture itself, and the provision thereon of a silhouette of the mounting bracket, in its correct relative position.

, The installing workman can thus clearly see where the mounting bracket should be installed so that the fixture will eventually be positioned optimally. Printed instruction may also be included to insure still greater accuracy.

The template and shield combination of this invention also provides that the permanently affixed center portion is slightly smaller in all dimensions than the fixture to be finally installed, and is centered therebehind. Hence the fixture, once installed, completely hides the remaining, permanent portion of the template.

These, and other advantages of the present invention, may be seen more clearly by reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of the obverse surface of the mounting template and installation shield of the preferred embodiment; and

FIG. 2 is an edge view of the mounting template and installation shield shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown the obverse side of the preferred embodiment of the mounting template 10 of the present invention. The mounting template 10 comprises a film or sheet which, in the preferred embodiment, is elastomeric film. A circular row 12 of pre-punched perforations, the location of which is evident from the printing of labeled lines thereon, is disposed concentrically with the circumference 14 of the template 10, and divides the template into two portions: an inner, circular area 10a; and an outer, annular area 10b. Extending between the row 12 of the perforations and the circumference 14 of the template 10, and lying entirely within the annular area 10b, are two straight rows 16 and 18 of pre-punched perforations, collinear with partial radii on the left and right sides, respectively, of the template 10. Printed labeled lines similarly locate these perforations l6 and 18.

Installation instructions '20, which are of temporary use only, are printed solely within the annular area 10b of the template 10. Within the boundary of the circular row of perforation 12, on the reverse side of the circular area 10a, an adhesive 21 is affixed to the template 10, as is shown in FIG. 2. The reve'rse side of the annular area 10b may be either devoid of adhesive, as shown in FIG. 2, or may have adhesive covered by an outer layer, so that the adhesive is never uncovered or used during an installation process. Permanent instructions 22 for the operation of the fixture to eventually be installed are printed on the obverse side of the template within the circular area 10a.

An actual size silhouette 24 of a mounting bracket is provided on the template 10, along with drill hole guides 26. Likewise, an outline slightly smaller than that of the fixture to be installed is provided, by the perforations 12. This outline, being similar in size to that of the fixture, aids in the proper placement of the mounting bracket to properly locate the fixture.

Use of the template 10 of the present invention is simple and rapid. The correct location for affixing the template to a wall or ceiling may be found in one of two ways, or by a combination of the two. First, the size of the fixture outline is approximately shown by the perforations 12, so that this outline may be placed in the correct location by eye. Second, a location instruction 27, such as distance relationships, may be included among the other installation instructions. A removable protective sheet (not shown) may be provided to cover the adhesive on the reverse side of the central area a until the template 10 is to be affixed to a wall.

To apply the template 10, a workman need only press the template 10 against the wall or ceiling surface, affixing the central area 10a thereto. A drill may then be used to bore holes through the guides 26 indicated on the template 10. The bracket may then be screwed to the wall, with the screws passing through the template 10. The permanent instructions 22 aid the workman in fitting the fixture on the mounting bracket. During this installation of the bracket and fixture, the annular area 10b has formed a shield to protect the wall area surrounding the bracket. After installation, the annular area 10b is removed by tearing along the perforations 12, 16 and 18, and discarded. When the fixture is completely installed, and the annular area 10b removed, the template 10, being slightly smaller than the fixture, is hidden; no trace of it is visible under normal scrutiny. The permanent instructions 22 remain beneath the fixture to aid in the use of the fixture.

We claim:

l. A template for aiding in the installation of a surface mounted fixture comprising:

a generally flat sheet having a central portion and a surrounding shield portion, said central portion having means thereon indicating the location of the fixture, the central portion being sufficiently smaller than the fixture such that the central portion is not readily observed when the fixture is placed over it;

means on the back of the central portion for affixing the template to a wall;

means for connecting said central portion and said shield portion in a manner permitting the shield portion to be readily separated from the central portion; and

said shield portion being considerably larger than the central portion and the fixture to serve as a disposable protective shield for the mounting surface during the mounting operation. 7

2. The template of claim 1 wherein the central portion of the sheet has permanent instructions therein 'regarding the mounting of the fixture and the shield portion has temporary mounting instructions thereon.

3. The template of claim 1 wherein the central portion has a shape similar to the fixture.

4. The template of claim 1 including means on said sheet indicating the location of a. bracket to be mounted on said surface, the bracket serving to removably support the fixture, the shield portion of said sheet having instructions thereon regarding mounting of the template and the central portion of said sheet having instructions thereon regarding the mounting of the fixture on the bracket.

5. The template of claim 1 wherein the means on the back of the central portion for affixing the template to the wall includes a coating of adhesive covered by a protective removable sheet, said adhesive and protective sheet extending onto the back of said shield portion with the central portion of the protective sheet being readily separable from the shield portion of the protective shield.

6. A template for aiding in the installation of a surface mounted bracket and a fixture to be removably mounted on the bracket comprising:

a sheet having a central portion and a shield portion, said central portion having a shape similar to the shape of the fixture to be mounted but slightly smaller than the fixture, said shield portion having an annular shape surrounding the central portion being considerably larger than the fixture, said sheet further having means thereon defining the general shape of the bracket, the shield portion of the sheet having instructions thereon regarding the mounting of the template and the central portion having instructions thereon regarding the mounting of the fixture on the bracket;

means on the central portion of the sheet for affixing the sheet to the mounting surface; and

means connecting said central portion to said peripheral portion in a manner enabling the peripheral portion to be readily separated from the central portion so that it may be discarded after the fixture is mounted.

7. The template of claim 6 wherein the means defining the shape of the bracket extends into both the central and shield portions.

8. A template for aiding in the installation of a surface mounted fixture comprising:

a sheet having a line of perforations defining a central portion and a surrounding peripheral shield portion, the perforations permitting the ready separation of the shield portion, said central portion having the approximate shape of the fixture to be mounted, only being slightly smaller than the fixture such that the central portion of the sheet will not be easily visible when the fixture is mounted on said surface, said shield being considerably larger than the central portion to protect said surface when the fixture is being mounted;

means on said sheet defining the shape of a bracket to be mounted on the surface for removably supporting the fixture;

means on said peripheral shield portion indicating the manner in which the template is mounted on said surface;

means on said bracket shaped portion of the sheet indicating the manner in which the bracket is to be mounted;

means on said central portion indicating the manner of mounting the fixture on said bracket; and

adhesive means on the back of said central portion for mounting the template on said surface. 

1. A template for aiding in the installation of a surface mounted fixture comprising: a generally flat sheet having a central portion and a surrounding shield portion, said central portion having means thereon indicating the location of the fixture, the central portion being sufficiently smaller than the fixture such that the central portion is not readily observed when the fixture is placed over it; means on the back of the central portion for affixing the template to a wall; means for connecting said central portion and said shield portion in a manner permitting the shield portion to be readily separated from the central portion; and said shield portion being considerably larger than the central portion and the fixture to serve as a disposable protective shield for the mounting surface during the mounting operation.
 2. The template of claim 1 wherein the central portion of the sheet has permanent instructions therein regarding the mounting of the fixture and the shield portion has temporary mounting instructions thereon.
 3. The template of claim 1 wherein the central portion has a shape similar to the fixture.
 4. The template of claim 1 including means on said sheet indicating the location of a bracket to be mounted on said surface, the bracket serving to removably support the fixture, the shield portion of said sheet having instructions thereon regarding mounting of the template and the central portion of said sheet having instructions thereon regarding the mounting of the fixture on the bracket.
 5. The template of claim 1 wherein the means on the back of the central portion for affixing the template to the wall includes a coating of adhesive covered by a protective removable sheet, said adhesive and protective sheet extending onto the back of said shield portion with the central portion of the protective sheet being readily separable from the shield portion of the protective shield.
 6. A template for aiding in the installation of a surface mounted bracket and a fixture to be removably mounted on the bracket comprising: a sheet having a central portion and a shield portion, said central portion having a shape similar to the shape of the fixture to be mounted but slightly smaller than the fixture, said shield portion having an annular shape surrounding the central portion being considerably larger than the fixture, said sheet further having means thereon defining the general shape of the bracket, the shield portion of the sheet having instructions thereon regarding the mounting of the template and the central portion having instructions thereon regarding the mounting of the fixture on the bracket; means on the central portion of the sheet for affixing the sheet to the mounting surface; and means connecting said central portion to said peripheral portion in a manner enabling the peripheral portion to be readily separated from the central portion so that it may be discarDed after the fixture is mounted.
 7. The template of claim 6 wherein the means defining the shape of the bracket extends into both the central and shield portions.
 8. A template for aiding in the installation of a surface mounted fixture comprising: a sheet having a line of perforations defining a central portion and a surrounding peripheral shield portion, the perforations permitting the ready separation of the shield portion, said central portion having the approximate shape of the fixture to be mounted, only being slightly smaller than the fixture such that the central portion of the sheet will not be easily visible when the fixture is mounted on said surface, said shield being considerably larger than the central portion to protect said surface when the fixture is being mounted; means on said sheet defining the shape of a bracket to be mounted on the surface for removably supporting the fixture; means on said peripheral shield portion indicating the manner in which the template is mounted on said surface; means on said bracket shaped portion of the sheet indicating the manner in which the bracket is to be mounted; means on said central portion indicating the manner of mounting the fixture on said bracket; and adhesive means on the back of said central portion for mounting the template on said surface. 